ISLAMABAD: The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Wednesday expressed dismay over the increase in Haj expenses, especially the fare of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

A meeting of the sub-committee, presided over by Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim called for taking all possible measures to facilitate Haj pilgrims this year.

Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar and senior officers of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and PIA also attended the meeting.

Members of the sub-committee stressed the need for operating Haj flights by the national airline at competitive fares.

The officials of the ministry of religious affairs informed the meeting that there were numerous reasons for the increase in air fares.

They said some of the planes returned empty as Saudi Arabia did not allow Haj flights to pick passengers other than pilgrims to Pakistan.

The sub-committee was informed that the PIA has been directed to take passengers from various stations and if there was no flight to those areas the national flag carrier will have to arrange their transportation to the designated airports without taking extra charges.

The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the official response and recommended that tickets must be made available at market rates.

The sub-committee suggested that Hajis should be exempted from taxes and the air fare, in view of the issues mentioned during the meeting, be decreased to Rs100,000 instead of Rs140,000.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2020